Beauty Shorts: Drugstore Finds, My New Girl Crush & Evil Rich Boys

It's a bit of an in-between season for us beauty bloggers. All of the big makeup collections of the season have been blathered about and now is when I start spending more time in Walgreens and CVS looking for things I might have missed the first time around.




It's sunny and you need to wear a sunscreen. I can't say it enough - if you don't protect your skin from the sun, don't spend a penny on skin creams or treatments (unless it's for acne) because you can't make your skin look better unless you stop the sun damage now. I stopped tanning and started wearing sun screen daily when I was 22. I'm 38 and it's made a major difference in the appearance of my skin. My cousin, Wormalita, has never, ever had a tan in her entire life and she has the skin of a 10 year old. Or a vampire. Either way, I'm jealous. Sunscreen is the best thing you can do for your skin, period. I'm in love with LaRoche-Posay's Anthelios SPF 60 Light Sunscreen Fluid. This initially feels like an outdoor use sunscreen (technically, it is), but it melts into the skin and doesn't eat your makeup. Just be sure to give it time to settle in first. It doesn't go on white, which is my biggest peeve. It does feel a little slick at first, but once it melts into the skin, you're golden (well, technically, you won't be golden, but you know what I mean.)




Want beachy waves without dropping $25 on that beachy spray everyone raves about? I was really pleased with the results I got from using Marc Anthony's Dream Waves Beach Spray. It added nice texture with only a little bit of "product look" to the hair. Go crazy and start by spraying some Dream Waves into the hair, followed by a touch of Mark Anthony's Curl Defining Lotion. Then dry your hair with a diffuser (I can't say enough awesome things about the DevaCurl diffuser) and you'll get curly hair. I was gobsmacked by the amount of curl I got from this triad. It didn't leave your hair super soft, but it didn't make it crunchy, either. It just didn't leave hair overly silky. I suppose those are the tradeoffs when you try to fake it.




I've found some pretty great things in the makeup aisle too. First up is Let Loose powder shadow from Prestige in Excite. I am a sucker for that elusive taupey-gray-silver-purple-sheen shadow. This one might be my new favorite. It has the right amount of sheen and pigment, without being looking heavy or too dark.




I do wish the sponge tip was bigger, but I always find myself fixing that problem by just opting to push a brush into the opening and getting out as much product as I want. If you have an addiction to this color of shadow the way I do, then you are going to need to pick this up, stat.




Finally, I've apparently developed a girl crush on Tatum O'Neal. While her new show isn't jaw-droppingly awesome, I find myself riveted every week by what an complete and utter donkey her father is. Saying she caused Farrah's cancer on Piers Morgan? Not recognizing her and almost hitting on her at Farrah's funeral? No wonder she turned to drugs on and off throughout her life. I hope she doesn't get hurt, can regain some kind of relationship (or learn to move on) and not relapse (I've been a fan since Little Darlings, so we go way back*). I'm also really drawn to the awesome looking combo of her peach blush and natural rosy lips.




While I'm not really sure what the colors actually are, I have found that these are really close to the lip color she wears. To me, they are either Classy Nude and/or Romantic Rose by Milani (HD Advanced Lip Color).  If I can find out what it actually is, I'll be sure to let you know.




(Classy Nude is on top, Romantic Rose is on the bottom. They are both really similar colors, but Classy Nude is more pigmented overall.)


In the meantime, these lip colors hydrate, nourish and give a nice, natural wash of color to the lips. They are definitely worth checking out!


 *We don't actually go anywhere. I just really used to like that movie and watch it over and over again. It was sometimes lonely being an only child. I am also fairly certain I still have the entire first season of Double Trouble memorized, can recite Goonies (if you start first) and I still hold a grudge against the fat guy that stole Pee Wee's bike. I'll never forgive Francis for that. Even when he appears in a totally different role, as a nice person, in a show that has nothing to do with evil-rich-boy-bike-stealing, I still hate him.


Oh yeah. I bought everything mentioned. La-Roche Posay tests on animals. Marc Anthony, Milani & Prestige do not test on animals, to the best of my knowledge.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews and more! Copyright 2009-2011, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Tanning Without Trying: A Hard Habit to Break

If you've read my blog for more than a week, you know I'm serious about preventing sun damage by wearing a daily SPF. But oddly, I'm really only talking about your face and neck. I don't wear a sunscreen daily on my arms, chest or legs. I should. My arms look a good 10 years older than my face. And several years older than my hands (I tend to rub in extra SPF on my hands). Ick. I guess I'm hitting THAT age. The age where everything matters. No more thinking things will get squared away when I'm older. Sigh.




So I'm trying to get better at wearing a daily sunscreen all over my body. It's not the easiest habit to make. I swear it feels like it takes forever to apply a lotion all over and I don't like how most sprays feel on the skin when I'm not at the beach.

Aveeno recently launched Hydrosport, a new SPF meant to be used on wet skin. I've been spraying it on when I get out of the shower. I'm actually applying it in the shower after I towel off. Then I wait a few seconds and rub it in. By the time I put my makeup on, my skin feels normal - not sticky or greasy. This SPF is available in either 50 or 85 and wears for a long, long time.

This retails for less than $10 at drugstores everywhere. Either for every day or for days at the pool or the beach, this SPF spray applies easily and doesn't feel glunky on skin.

Product was sent for review. Aveeno does not test on animals.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews and more! Copyright 2009-2011, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Dr. Wu's Skin Tips to Feed Your Face

I had the chance to meet Dr. Jessica Wu earlier in the spring, before the Independent Spirit Awards. I even had the benefit of eating the most beautiful and delicious lunch ever, all of which was good for your skin, including an amazing chocolate cake. Not only a noted dermatologist, she's also the author of Feed Your Face, a no-nonsense guide to eating for better skin. I loved the book. Her conversational style and distinctive voice make the book a pleasure to read, which makes her suggested habits easier to add to your lifestyle.





 (An recreation of the actual book under my actual 8th grade pillowcase.)

It actually reminds me a lot of a book I adored as a teen called Girl Talk, by Carol Weston, a book I read over and over. It gave me advice on everything from asking boys out to makeup to getting my period. I swear I used to sleep with that book under my pillow.




Anyway, in Dr. Wu's book, she gives you lots of tips on how to have amazing skin without dropping a fortune on potions. In fact, she even insists you only need three products in your daily routine - a cleanser, a moisturizer with an SPF and a night treatment.

Dr. Wu and I disagree on one thing (of course I'm knowledgeable enough to take on a doctor, right?). She doesn't believe tanning is a really bad idea. I'm going to tell you again. If you aren't wearing an SPF daily to avoid getting a tan, you should not be spending a penny on skincare products to improve your skin. It won't happen until you stop the UVB damage. I should mention that Dr. Wu doesn't think tanning is a good idea, either. She is just trying to be a little friendlier about it than I would be, I suppose. After all, I barely know her and she doesn't want to annoy me already with preachy attitudes about tanning. But you and I are already friends, right? You are used to me annoying you sarcastically and we like each other anyway.

All of that aside, here are her top five tips to Feed Your Face. The whole book is full of further gems and totally worth reading (but I'm not giving away the surprise ending). There are times when I wish I could buy you stuff because I like it so much. (I suppose that's why Oprah gives so much away. That and the sponsorship money she would get). If I was made of money, I would buy you your own copy of this book. I like it that much.


TIP #1
Many people don’t realize this but the condition of your skin has at least 50% to do with the food you eat – Choosing to eat the right foods is as important as choosing the right skin care ingredients.  To keep your skin looking youthful, be sure to have some protein at every meal, since collagen (which keeps your skin firm) and elastic tissue (which helps it bounce back) are both made of protein.  This will also help keep your blood sugar stable, which fights acne, rashes, and wrinkles.


TIP #2
Everyone focuses on what you can't eat, not what you can. You do not need to starve for good skin. For example, EAT PIZZA! Start with whole wheat thin crust, go light on the cheese and load it with tomato sauce and green& yellow veggies. Yum!


TIP #3
Incorporating tomatoes into your diet or preparing foods with tomato paste has been shown to help skin by protecting it from sun burn and sun damage. This is because tomatoes contain a high concentration of lycopene, a strong antioxidant. For best results, the tomatoes need to be cooked or processed.  Also using a product like AVEENO®’s Positively Radiant Moisturizer with Total Soy Complex will assist with Sun Damaged Skin. Over time, the Total Soy complex naturally evens tones, smooths texture and softens skin.


TIP #4
For clear skin, stay away from dairy. Milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and other dairy products have been linked to acne breakouts. In recent years, research has shown that dairy is inflammatory, which means that it leads to redness, swelling, and pus – all of which can worsen pimples. Try switching to soy milk or almond milk; just make sure you are getting calcium another way. Also using a product like AVEENO®’s SMART ESSENTIALS™ Pore Purifying Facial Wash will restore radiance and rejuvenate the complexion. (I love this facial wash as well. And it smells great and won't break the bank!)


TIP #5
The Omega 3 fatty acids in fish are shown to stimulate blood circulation, benefiting the cardiovascular system. Omega-3s have been linked with prevention and treatment of skin disorders. Also using a product like AVEENO®’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion with its unique natural oatmeal formula helps prevent and protect dry skin.

I'm a brand ambassador for Aveeno, but all opinions are clearly my own.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews and more! Copyright 2009-2011, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Say Goodbye to Melasma in May & Get Your Skin Checked for Free!

It's no secret that the best thing you can do to maintain a youthful face is to stay out of the sun. The rays of the sun, which feel awesome, especially at the beach, are tricky little suckers. While we think those rays are being all friendly and lovely-feeling, they are actually damaging our skin. Granted, it doesn't happen immediately, but it does happen. You can't deny that sun worshippers look older than vampires. And since it's probably not a great idea to be either of those, let's compromise and all agree to use sunscreen, ok?

If you wear it daily, your skin will look younger in ten years than it will if you don't. I know, we are an instant gratification kind of society. We want it and we want it now. And I am leading the pack of those craving instant gratification. But I also don't want skin cancer, large brown spots or deep wrinkles, which you will get if you don't wear a sunscreen daily. Adding an SPF to your skincare routine is the best thing you can do. And if you spend a penny on anti-aging creams or procedures and aren't wearing a sunscreen every single day, you are basically flushing your cash down the drain.




(Steps down off of soap box, carefully, without breaking an ankle.)

Worried it's already too late? See a dermatologist to find out if you have any damage that needs to be medically addressed. I don't go outside in short-shorts or sun bathe and I always wear an SPF. Still, two years ago, I had to have a spot removed on my upper thigh because it was pre-cancerous. You just never know. It's important to have it checked out. Can't afford it? Get checked for free from Aveeno and The Skin Cancer Foundation, who have hit the streets for their annual Road To Healthy Skin Tour. Check out the dates in your area and make sure your skin is in tip-top shape!




Now that we have that out of the way, here are some great products, and one is sure to work for you. If it doesn't, tell me and I will find you one that does.

Dry Skin - Yes, you can have dry skin, even in the warmer months. I really like Josie Maran's Argan Oil Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40+. Not only does it have Argan Oil, but it helps quench dry skin giving you a luminous complexion.

Oily Skin - Dermalogica's Oil Free Matte Block SPF 20 gives you a matte finish with no extra oils or ingredients that are known for blocking pores.

Sensitive Skin - MDSolarSciences is gentle enough for anyone to use. It has a different texture than most sunscreens and feels fantastic on skin.

Everyone - My favorite sunscreen is Jan Marini's Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant. It doesn't go on white, feels amazing on the skin and gives great protection.

For the Body - Aveeno's Hydrosport is genius. This sprayable SPF doesn't come off with water or sweat and can even be applied to wet skin.

Now you have no excuse! If I missed your favorite sunscreen, tell me what it is in the comments!



Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews and more! Copyright 2009-2011, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

A Beautiful Change Starts with a Single Step! Join Aveeno & Become an Active Natural!

Aveeno is launching a major effort today to show everyone how one small step can have a major impact on our future. Starting today, you can become a fan of Aveeno on Facebook and make a pledge to take one step in a healthy, sustainable direction.

How can one small step change the world? Here is the deal. If enough of us bond together to make a change, even a bunch of different and little changes, it will have an impact on our global health. I made a pledge in February to Aveeno to use less water. And since then, I have. It's that simple. No one is suggesting that you should become like No Impact Man, but any change you make towards living a healthy and sustainable life means a better future for those who come after us.

But what does this have to do with beauty? Plenty! Pledge to make one change on Aveeno's Facebook page. When you share your pledge on your own wall, you will earn points towards rewards from Aveeno through their innovative partner, RecycleBank. More pledges mean more rewards, which mean more positive changes for the future. See how what goes around, comes around?

Aveeno is helping to lead the way towards a beautifully sustainable future through their products, their packaging and their corporate philosophies. Who knew? While other companies are talking about how to reduce emissions and their footprint, Aveeno (and their parent company, Johnson & Johnson) has actually reduced their CO2 emissions by 16% between the years of 1990 and 2009 . Waste generation is down by more than 30% since 2005. Sustainability and corporate responsibility have been a part of their culture since the 1930s. This isn't their first foray into sustainability. It's just probably the first time you are hearing about it.

What small step are you willing to take? Share yours on Aveeno's Facebook page. And if you are in NYC on Thursday or Friday, swing by Times Square between 10am and 7pm to see something you'd never expect to see. If you can see the forest for the trees, take a picture and send it to me!


Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews and more! Copyright 2009-2011, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Adventures in Beautyland: Inside Scoop from the Independent Spirit Awards

 
(A girl and her press pass.)


 I could go on forever about all of the fun I had last weekend at the Independent Spirit Awards, courtesy of Aveeno, one of the sponsors of the award show. But I'll try to give you the scoop from the event in easily digestible bits.


 

When we first arrived at the event, we were let off near the entrance for the arrivals, which was at the top of the red carpet, which wasn't really red. Does that make it a really long step and repeat or is it a red carpet? I'm sticking with red carpet for bragging rights. Anywho...


 

Hitting the red carpet was surreal. There were fans lining the beach, held back by fences and paparazzi in droves, lining the non-logo'd side of the tent. People were yelling at us not to stop and then to stop. It was so odd. Anne and I tried to take photos of ourselves on the carpet, but, like many photos of the day involving me as a subject, it didn't quite work.



(Anne looking awesome. Me looking goofy. The wind sure wasn't helping me.)


Celebrities were everywhere. As a superfan of all things television and movies, it was really odd to see so many people you think you know.



 (Illeana Douglas telling someone to take a hike.)


Illeana Douglas said hi and replied, "so do you!" when I told her she looked lovely.




Anne Heche was unbelievably striking in real life. Nia Vardalos and Kate Flannery even posed for some bloggers (and then later posed for me) and couldn't have been nicer.



(Jennifer Lawrence)


I almost bumped into the beautiful Jennifer Lawrence. I am also delighted to report that I didn't fall once. Success!


 
(Rosario Dawson was incredibly gorgeous, even with her coat covering her dress.)

Once I reached the end of the red carpet, there was a crush of everyone trying to get to their tents, seats or find their assistants to put on their coats. It was freezing outside! It was so cold for LA that no one seemed to care if things got wrinkled or if the wind destroyed their carefully coiffed 'do. It was just too cold to care.


 
 (Leonard Maltin)


I wasn't sure where to go next, so I struck up a conversation with Leonard Maltin, famed movie critic. We debated the merits of what would win Best Picture at the Oscars - he picked The King's Speech (safe choice, Maltin!) and I picked Winter's Bone. Ultimately he was right, but I still maintain Winter's Bone was better.



 (Melissa Leo)


Next, I got the chance to say hi to Melissa Leo, who I've adored since her writer-induced, non-makeup wearing days as Detective Kay Howard on the TV show Homicide. In a long fur coat, emerald sheath and aviators, she looked like a rock star. Well, a rock star who had some good stories to tell.

While everyone has asked me if I saw Nicole and Keith (Nicole, constantly. Keith, never) or Natalie, I was more excited to see the actors I adore like Will Arnett, Paul Rudd and Dale Dickey.


 
(Dale Dickey)


I missed Will and Paul, but did get the chance to say hi to Dale, who could not have been sweeter to speak with.


Not knowing where to go next and not being able to find anyone from my gaggle of 25 fellow Aveeno bloggers, I opted to blend into the end of the red carpet and take photos. Turned out, I was also a savior (if I do say so myself) for one particularly sad British cameraman , who didn't know Jessie Eisenberg from Danny Boyle. Embarrassingly enough, the only person I didn't recognize was Aron Ralston. Considering he had an obvious "tell", I can't believe I saw him so many times and never put two and two together.


 
 (Jon Hamm asking/pleading not to have to go back to the car.)


The next thing I knew, I was answering questions for ISA crew members about who had arrived and had been seated. Jon Hamm and his lovely girl friend, Jennifer Westfeldt, had forgotten their tickets and were asking to please not be forced to return to the car to fetch the tix, Oddly, the ISA team debated on if he really needed them to be seated. Ultimately, they let him in.


 
 (Naomi Watts)


The hysterical Craig Robinson, the incredibly beautiful Naomi Watts and equally beautiful Terence Howard passed right by me, and Kerry Washington high-tailed it in heels across the pavement to sign autographs for her fans.


 
 (Ashley Bell)


Rosario Dawson is possibly one of the prettiest people I have ever seen in person, and adorable Ashley Bell is one of the sweetest. (It's odd for a horror movie to get a nom from anyone with a televised award show, so if you didn't see her movie, The Last Exorcism, check it out. It's actually pretty good.)


 
 (Darren Aronofsky)


As the afternoon wore on, everyone stopped caring what they looked like and started getting real. By the end of the awards, Natalie was wearing two coats and I am fairly certain people were going to tackle Darren Aronofsky for his scarf.



 
 (Me in the Aveeno tent during the broadcast, where it was only marginally warmer.)


After the award show, almost everyone changed before heading off to an after-party at the Viceroy Hotel. I changed into jeans, a cute top and a jacket I had no intention of removing. Anne and I were on the hunt to find out what people got in their swag bags. One gentleman I did not know proudly showed us a ginormous bottle of Jameson (also a sponsor of the event), along with some fabulous goodies from Aveeno. It's safe to say he was more excited about the Jameson, but he'll appreciate that sunscreen in 5 years when he won't have to visit the dermatologist to reverse the signs of aging.




 
(My new pal Casey, on the left.)


Anne then stopped Cassavetes Award-winner Casey Neistat to ask how heavy his new ISA statue was. I don't think Casey would mind me telling you that while he was thrilled to win an award and be recognized for his film, Daddy Longlegs, he was really stoked about the secret swag tent he discovered while following Vanessa Hudgens for fun. Finally getting the real details, Casey told us that he received some amazing sunglasses, a huge 3-D television and loads of other amazing gifts. After discovering that I am a television commercial producer by day (and he directs tv commercials on the side) we became fast new friends.

Before the night came to a close, Anne and I had heard that Zach Galifianakis was on the other side of the hotel. I suppose because of my day job, I'm not one to ask for autographs or ask for people to pose with me (although it does happen from time to time). But I know Loxy loves Zach G. and his really annoying web show, Between Two Ferns. So Anne and I set off to find him and take his picture. You know, for Loxy.

If you don't already know who Zach is, you might not get how funny this is. But stick with me. At the Viceroy, there was a reserved room that was full of rich wood, high backed beautiful chairs and loads of old books. Sitting in the middle of the room (and in direct view from the doorway) was Zach Galifianakis in what I think was a red jacket, with his legs crossed and a huge goblet of wine. I only glanced his way once, trying to look cool, so I could have some of the details wrong. He was talking to David Cross and Amber Tamblyn, holding his huge goblet up above his lap, as if he were holding court in the study, discussing important things. Anne and I grabbed new pal Elizabeth, from Beautybets.com, to enlist her to help us pull off the old "we'll pose, but really get the people behind us" trick.



(Anne is the shorter shadow. Zach is in the background, with Amber to camera left and David Cross on the right.)

Sorry, Loxy. We tried.  And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Zach got up and shut the door after our failed stunt. After that major photo FAIL, I decided to not leave the party without getting my picture taken with at the very least, an Independent Spirit Award. So I went and found my new bud Casey and asked if I could borrow it.





Old friends by now, he just handed it off to me like a big brother who doesn't want his pesky kid sister to interrupt his rap with Aveeno spokesmodel, Summer Rayne Oakes. Right before Anne snapped the pic, he opted to be in the photo, which is cool, minus the flash not working. Another picture FAIL. (Except Loxy thinks that's James Franco in the background, so look, James Franco!)

It doesn't matter. We still had an amazing time I'll never forget.Want to see even more pictures from the event? Check out the I Spy photos on the right side of the blog.

Trip was paid for by Aveeno. Stories, photos and opinions are my own.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2011, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Adventures in Beautyland: Getting Ready for the Independent Spirit Awards

 

I had a plan. As any of the other bloggers can tell you, I was prepared for this trip. Loxy and I made a cheat sheet of all of those known attending the Spirit Awards so I would have something to say if I got the chance to speak to them. I had worked out a "look" centered around retro Hollywood with a twist and had even gotten Anne to agree to help me into my bustier, pre-show.



 


I had allowed HOURS of time to get ready and it flew by. I had a quick and delicious breakfast and then ran smack into Timothy Olyphant (I'm pretty sure it was him) while trying to find the elevator that leads to the second floor from the third floor.  Aveeno had done such a nice job of pampering us the day before, and I wanted to continue that experience. Like with the rest of the weekend, time flew by and before I knew it, I was on my way to the Red Carpet at the Independent Spirit Awards.


 

To get ready, I started by washing my hair and using a new glossing treatment from Aveeno, Living Color Color Preserving Shine Glaze. After you shampoo and condition, you leave in the treatment for about three minutes and then rinse. Using the treatment regularly will extend the life of your color and help seal the hair cuticle, making your hair smooth and shiny. My hair was soft and shiny after I used it the first time!

I decided to do my hair wavy for the event, a la Maggie Gyllenhaal. While I worked on perfecting my waves, I watched Scrubs and thought of what I would say to Christa Miller, should I see her later in the day, as she and I are both huge fans of a certain shock jock.  And because I knew I would write about it thinking about that, I tried to take a picture of the television, so you wouldn't have to go to IMDb to figure out who she was. Each one came out blurry, except this one.  Oh well. Here's the link to her IMDb page.




 Next, it was makeup time. I had previously exfoliated my face, arms and decollete with YBF's Prep, which is amazing, provided you like a serious scrub.


 

I had prepped my face using Tarte's new Maracuja Oil, which I am loving. It sinks in, without leaving your skin feeling greasy. I followed up with Jan Marini's SPF, as I knew it wouldn't change the color of my foundation or reflect strangely in pictures.


 
(Anne knows how to make me me feel at ease.)


Anne then joined me to continue getting ready. Thankfully, she remembered to bring hairspray and didn't mind helping me get dressed. She's a good friend like that! She didn't even make fun of me for watching two televisions at once. (If a hotel puts two screens 20 feet apart, what is a movie/tv junkie like me supposed to do?) We then struggled with dress tape (that stuff is sticky!), tied and re-tied sashes and discussed how to make Anne's eyes smolder.


 

Then it was makeup time for me. I wanted to do a light, but glimmering eye; play up my newly grown and amazing lashes and don a seriously bright lip to complete my retro Hollywood look.


 

I started with Dalton's Primer, Maybelline Fit Me Foundation (mixed with FACE atelier's Minus Zero) and Josie Maran's Argan Oil concealer. I then used Stila's Prime Pot over my entire eye and added a bit of Urban Decay's Primer Potion to my lid. I filled in my brows with Joey Healy's Equestrian Luxe Brow Powder. I used Buxom's Stay-There Shadow in Sheepdog in the corner of my eyes, Collie across the rest of the lid and Pug in the crease. I lined below my lower lashes with Pug as well. To make my lashes really stand out, I used my new favorite mascara combo - Urban Decay's Supercurl Mascara and Fiberwig. To top it off, I added a little bit of LORAC's Lustre Liquid to my lids.


On my cheeks, I used Tarte's Park Ave Princess as a contour, YSL's Peach Creme de Blush on the apples of my cheeks and Zuii's Mango blush to add a matte radiance. (I know, a matte radiance sounds weird. But it's amazing.) Finally, I added a touch of Dalton's H2Glo for a little pop of cheek sheen.


 

To complete my look, added a bright pop of color on the lips - Zuii's Coral Red. This red lasts and lasts. In fact, I only had to touch up my lips three times throughout the entire day and into the evening. It's creamy, hydrating and very long wearing.


 

My favorite part of my ensemble was my necklace, an upcycled, steampunk-inspired piece from Etsy. I love this necklace!



Anne and I awaiting our transportation to the ceremony.

While I am overly critical and very self-conscious, I have to say I was really happy and comfortable with how I looked, something that almost never happens! We then left to meet all of the ladies in the lobby for a fantastic afternoon at the Independent Spirit Awards!



(The entire Aveeno Brand Ambassador Team before the awards.)


Aveeno paid for this experience. Opinions are my own. Other products mentioned may have been sent for review. I also purchased plenty of them with cold, hard cash.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2011, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Adventures in Beautyland: Prepping for the Independent Spirit Awards

Recently, I've gotten a major opportunity for some serious fun. And with all of the drama that has been going on in my non-blog life, I am ready to enjoy the weekend in LA with several of my blogging friends.


While the weekend will be full of beauty and blogging and lovely, lovely things, I am most excited about going to the Independent Spirit Awards. It's not just that I love Joel McHale and hope to see the stars of Winter's Bone. I really love movies.



(Buried is intense. If you have claustrophobia issues, you may not make it through the whole movie.)


I watch a lot of movies (and television). Last weekend, we watched five. (Buried was intense and excellent. Never Let Me Go looked beautiful and was the opposite of what I would expect from the guy who directed all of those Nine Inch Nail music videos in the 90's.) Loxy loves movies even more than me. He can listen to movie dialogue, hear the sound of the score and identify the movie, without ever looking at the screen. Usually in under 45 seconds.


(Never Let Me Go has a better second half than first half, but the whole thing is gorgeous.)


Needless to say, I'm EXCITED.

It also poses a small problem. While all girly and into makeup and stuff, I am also a bit of a shy tomboy. Going to a Hollywood award show means some kind of glamour, even if it is Independent. Here's the thing.

I am bad at dressing myself.


I'm even worse when it comes to wearing girly shoes. I wear motorcycle boots almost every day. I can't walk in heels - I fall. Once, an orthopedist looked at the way I was standing and asked if I fell a lot. He suggested I avoid heels and stick to my boots. He didn't know what I should do in the summer, but felt it imperative I avoid most heels.


(Scout and I almost even have the same haircut.)


Don't believe me? Ask Anne from Beauty Xpose (who is also going to the ISA's). She was on speed dial and texted me continuously while I was looking for shoes. I'm helpless with these things. Questions like, "It's not quite camel, it's more like my foot if it was made into a (faux) patent leather, is that still ok?" were normal and constant. That Anne is a saint.

So what does my plus-size, movie-loving, tomboy-self wear to an awards show? When I asked my friends, my list of requirements were outlandish* and they grew tired of my queries quickly. Luckily, I found something lovely, fast. And found jewelry that makes me happy, which no one else is likely to rock. (I'm much better with accessories. At least the kind you wear and not carry.)

My next decisions? What makeup to take with me. This is a whirlwind trip and I don't want to lug a million things with me. This coming from the girl with gobs of lip gloss in her purse every day and a vanity whose top is rarely seen. I'd love to hear your ideas, so leave them in the comments or send me an email. I will say this about my dress, it's not black (but is dark) and my accessories are varying metallics.


(Paget easily has the longest lashes of anyone at the BAU and possibly of anyone on television.)


While broadcast at night, the actual awards ceremony is during the day. I'm certainly not likely to be caught on the red carpet, but that hasn't stopped me from thinking about a makeup scheme. My lashes are getting crazy at this point. I'm practically a lash double for Paget Brewster. I'd love to play them up. Ideas? I would love to hear them! Leave them in the comments or email me!

My list of requirements for things needed for this trip:
*No leather
*Obviously no fur
*Can carry items needed for working
*Fancy
*Not so fancy that I feel like a fish on a bicycle
*Upcycled when possible
* Not over 2 inches high
*Avoids showing my monkey feet as much as possible
*Not easily wrinkled/destroyed by me
*Slimming
*Comfortable
*Not expensive
*Not cheap looking

Aveeno sponsors an award at the Independent Spirit Awards and is fully responsible (along with Recyclebank) for my attending the event.

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